Wantage Township Parks

Hours

Ideally, Wantage Township will open the gates of both Woodbourne Park and Lott Road fields when our DPW employees begin work. Depending on the time of the year, the DPW workday begins at either 6:30 a.m. or 7 a.m. Wantage parks close at sunset. We rely on dedicated volunteers who take time out of their personal life to close and lock the gates to our public parks at the end of each day. Unless your sports organization has received written permission from the Recreation Commission for evening use of the park, please do not stay in the parks after dark. It is not safe for you, and it is impolite to our volunteers. Your ongoing cooperation with our rules for use of the parks is greatly appreciated!

Trash

Our parks are "carry in, carry out" facilities. Please take your water bottles, juice boxes, snack wrappers, packages, etc. out with you!
Porta johns and dog waste stations are not trash disposals.
Teams: please announce these rules to the visiting teams before the start of the game. Coaches need to make a final sweep of the area after games.

NO Smoking

Our parks are smoke-free spaces. Please do not smoke in our parks and do not litter our parks with cigarette/cigar butts. Let everyone enjoy fresh air.

Dogs

All dogs must be leashed at all times when in our parks. Owners are responsible for the removal of any deposits their dogs make. There are dog waste disposal stations in Woodbourne and Papakating Parks.

ATVs / Dirt Bikes / Snowmobiles

Riding all-terrain vehicles and/or dirt bikes and snowmobiles in our parks is prohibited. Individuals violating this law will be prosecuted. If youths are involved, their parents will be held accountable. It is a matter of safety, it is a matter of courtesy, and it is a matter of the law.

Use of Our Parks

Groups may apply to use park facilities. See forms page for permit application and policies.

Woodbourne Veterans' Memorial Park

Woodbourne Park is located off County Route 628 and Berry Road. The entrance is on Sherman Ridge Road. The park features a pavilion, walking paths, fields for soccer, football, and baseball, a basketball court, a skating rink, and playground with assorted equiptment. There are a number of picnic tables, and ADA-compliant tables are available. Coming in 2023: pickleball courts.

Pickleball Courts

Construction is currently underway for four pickleball courts. They are being constructed over the old skating rink in the front section of the park. The courts are being funded with a $70,00 grant from the state of New Jersey and funds from Wantage Township Open Space monies. Courts are expected to be ready for play Summer 2023.

Woodbourne Park Pavilion

The pavilion is available for all residents to enjoy, but if you are looking for exclusivity in using the pavilion, it is available to be rented in four-hour increments. Renters are required to be residents of Wantage Township who are at least 21 years old. Cost to rent the pavilion is $50; if you are in need of electricity when at the pavilion the cost is $75. 502(c)(3), non-profit organizations, may rent the pavilion at no cost or for $25 if electricity is needed. A $250 security deposit is collected and held to reimburse the township for any losses or damages incurred as a result of the applicant’s use. That deposit shall be refunded to the applicant on confirmation that no loss or damages were incurred by the Township as a result of the applicant’s use of the pavilion. Refunds should be made within 30 days. The Pavilion Rental Application along with all the regulations associated with its rental is available for download. See the Pavilion Use Application. For questions about renting the pavilion for your event, call (973) 875-7193 x243.

Take a Walk Around Woodbourne Park - How far did I go?

Roughly speaking, the original loop of the walking path (walking from the parking lot closest to Sherman Ridge Road, around the three ball fields, around the skating rink, up to the cul-de-sac and back to the parking lot) is about 3,400 feet.

A half mile would be 2,640 feet; three quarters of a mile would be 3,960 feet, so this trek is between a half mile and 3/4 mile in distance. The new walking path that connects the original part of the park to the new part of the park is about 550 feet. If you walk the new connecting roadway instead of the walking path, it is a little longer - about 800 feet from the cul-de-sac to the new little league field.

The loop in the back of the park is about 2,800 feet, making it just a little over a half mile.

One whole loop would be 7,350 feet +/-. A mile and a half would be 7,920 feet, so starting at the cul-de-sac, one complete loop and then continuing again on the new walking path from the cul-de-sac to the new little league field in the back of the park (just past the brook) would be pretty close to a mile-and-a-half.

Papakating Park

Previously known as the Berry Road property, the property was officially named Papakating Park on May 11, 2023. It is open to the public for fishing, walking, biking, and disc golf. Baseball fields and parking areas are planned. (A Papakating Park Sports Fields concept plan may be viewed at Town Hall.) Temporary parking on the property is by the house by the trees. You may also park your vehicle at Woodbourne Park and walk over to the property. The property contains two small, unstocked ponds. A valid NJ fishing license is required for those 16 years old and older for fishing in the ponds. The unpaved walking path is a wide, grassy path. Please stay on the cut path. The buildings are off limits. Please do not go near the house or barn—stay on the cut trails. Motorized vehicles (all-terrain/off road vehicles, dirt bikes, snow mobiles, etc.) are prohibited.

Papakating Creek Disc Golf Course

Opened in June 2023, the course has 18 "holes". Take a virtual tour of the course via YouTube. Information and online course map can be viewed at udisc.com/courses/papakating-creek-disc-golf-course-crOy/

Lott Road Fields

Recreation fields are located off Lott Road. These fields are mainly used for Little League and T-Ball.

Lake Neepaulin

Lake Neepaulin is open to the public for boating and fishing. The beach is open, but swimming is not allowed at this time. There is a picnic table and a refurbished basketball court (courtesy of the Boy Scouts.) Future improvements to the public area are being considered. While boating is allowed, gasoline-powered engines are prohibited. Electric motors, kayaks, canoes, rowboats, paddleboats, sailboats are all ok. There is a boat launch available and the Township asks boaters to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by cleaning boat trailer wheels from possible contaminants from other lakes before bringing the trailer to our lake. No boat storage on site. Fishing is catch and release only; There are no fees but a valid NJ fishing license is required for those 16 years old and older. Fishing is allowed off the dam. Per park policies: this is a carry in, carry out facility, no ATVs or off-road vehicles, no smoking, pets must be leashed and any "deposits" must be cleaned up, no overnight parking, park opens at dawn, closes at dusk. When gates are locked, park is closed.

Dog Park

This is an eight-acre fenced area where dog owners can take their dogs for off-leash exercise and recreation. Located on Route 628 near Woodbourne Park (just east of Berry Road), the park has separate “Large Dog” and “Small Dog” areas, a shelter for protection from the elements, benches, and dog waste disposal facilities. The fence and gates are designed for safe, escape-proof entry and exit for the dogs. There is a parking area for the private use of the dog owners. Recent improvements include agility training equipment. For the latest Dog Park news and information see the Dog Park website or Facebook.